Which cheapish 4x10 cabinet for Fender Bassman?

[Rocknmather]

Hey all,

Posting for a first time here! :) Please bear with me, as I don't know much about bass amps/gear.

I bought a Fender Bassman-style all tube head (with enough wattage to be heard in a band situation) and currently am in the market for a 4x10 cabinet. Was wondering if you can recommend me something, based on my budget - roughly €300? Maybe €350 tops. Planning to buy the cab from Thomann, which leaves me with the following options:

- Kustom DE410H - https://www.thomann.de/intl/kustom_de410h.htm
- Ashdown Toneman 410T Deep - https://www.thomann.de/intl/ashdown_toneman_410t_deep.htm
- Peavey Headliner 410 - https://www.thomann.de/intl/peavey_headliner_410.htm
- Laney R410 - https://www.thomann.de/intl/laney_r410.htm
- Hartke VX 410 - https://www.thomann.de/intl/hartke_vx_410.htm
- Eden TN410 - https://www.thomann.de/intl/eden_tn410.htm

Open to buy from another site that delivers to Bulgaria.

Also checked the local second hand sites, but none of them caught my eye.

Some additional information:
- would prefer 8 or 16 ohms;
- having a horn would be nice... or at least that's what I am being told! Not sure whether it will make dramatic difference;
- my bass is Squire Vintage Modified Precision (4 strings, stock pickups), tuned to D standard;
- will use the rig for rehearsals, recording and live playing;
- I play fingerstyle only (no slapping/picks);
- my band is a power trio, playing mostly instrumental psych/prog/post-rock, if that matters;
- would prefer to be able to achieve a bright(-ish), old school/70s, distinctive tone, e.g.: https://youtu.be/8lAoHRaqUI0?t=56
- I plan to use bass OD in some situations to switch between clean tone and something close to John Wetton's overdriven tone in Red: https://youtu.be/OfR6_V91fG8?t=507

Would be happy to provide more information if needed.

Thanks in advance!

[Lozz196]

I don’t know much about those actual cabs, but every piece of Ashdown gear I’ve used has been very good, so I’d probably go with that one. The only cab I’ve used out of those listed was the Hartke and I found it quite weak sounding.

And welcome to the forum, though be prepared, it will be costly.

Edited June 28, 2020 by Lozz196

[Beer of the Bass]

I would say for those styles (and particularly with OD) you don't want a horn, or at least you want one that can be turned off. And while I can understand wanting a wide, square format cab for a large head like that, there's no particular reason to stick with the 4x10 format. You might find 2x12“ or 15" options with the right form factor which would also do the job.

[Matt P]

as you talk of a 16 ohm option i am guessing that the amp you have got is more guitar-biased than bass, this won't be a problem as it will still sound great but 16 ohm bass cabs don't really exist, it would be worth checking exactly what ohms the amp will accept as running a valve amp with an incorrect load can result in expensive damage!

If you can get a manual this can help, i had a small valve amp a while back (orange tiny terror) and the labels on the outputs were actually a little confusing if you didn't think carefully before plugging in.

22 minutes ago, Beer of the Bass said:

I would say for those styles (and particularly with OD) you don't want a horn, or at least you want one that can be turned off. And while I can understand wanting a wide, square format cab for a large head like that, there's no particular reason to stick with the 4x10 format. You might find 2x12“ or 15" options with the right form factor which would also do the job.

i would concur with this, you might want to look at 1x15's as well, unfortunately i don't know of any 2x12's that are in your price range (Thomman list one but it is 4 ohms)

with a valve amp one of the things i would be watching out for is the sensitivity of the cab, as you are likely to be confined to just one cab due to the ohms issue you want as efficient a cab as possible (lots of speaker cone area helps as well and a 4x10 has nearly double the cone area of a 1x15) unfortunately not all manufacturers give sensitivity numbers for their cabs.

 

Matt

Edited June 28, 2020 by Matt P
better phrasing and spelling (hopefully)

[Bankai]

Personally I’d take to Reverb.com and look at places on there who will deliver to Bulgaria (there will be an option to only display listings where delivery to Bulgaria is an option) and select something second hand so you get more for your money. 
 

Narrow down your search to bass cabs and flick through and see what there is in the 4x10 / 6x10 world.

[Skybone]

Of all of them, I'd be inclined to say go with the Ashdown.

Also have a look on the Muzik Produktiv site, they have their own version of Thomann's Ashdown "Toneman" range (the "AMP range"). I have one of the Ashdown Muzik Produktiv combo's, and it's great. Based on an ABM Evo III, but in Rootmaster cabinet.

Laney and Hartke are good too.

 

[gjones]

All the Laney gear, I've played through in rehearsal studios,  has been pretty loud and clear. I've always been impressed. Which is pretty good for budget gear.

 

[Dan Dare]

Peavey 4x10s are decent and often cheap as chips used, as long as you don't mind the weight.

[grenadillabama]

you want a wide-enough cab for your head to look like a normal 'stack'. I would maybe consider the cheapest Eden - they used to make one seriously cheap (no wood, only mdf )  Now i stack 2 Ashdown Rootmaster 15 cabinets . Too slender for your Bassman. side-by side ? grey-silver grill would match a Fender head ... There is no end and I like it like that. rules are made to be broken- rant out ,Gren

[Rocknmather]

Thanks for the advices, everyone!